A Lesson in Online Scams: A Cautionary Tale for Small Business Owners
Introduction
Running a small business comes with a multitude of rewards — and an equal number of challenges. One of the less glamorous realities is encountering scams disguised as customer inquiries. Today, I want to share a personal experience that happened to me around April 19, 2025. My hope is to offer a cautionary tale to fellow business owners and entrepreneurs while acknowledging that, unfortunately, this is part of doing business in today's digital age.
The Setup: An Inquiry That Seemed Legitimate
It started with a simple Facebook message from someone named "Jex Barrett," asking if they could make a purchase. At first glance, it seemed like a normal inquiry for my handmade pouches. I responded politely, explaining that my next batch would be ready by May 15, and even offered to place them on a waiting list.
The conversation continued with Jex asking for pricing and location details. They stated they needed "about 5 variations" for birthday presents and provided a shipping address in Tempe, Arizona. Everything seemed straightforward, if a bit hurried.
The Red Flags
Looking back, several warning signs were clear:
No Specifics: Jex never specified which pouches they wanted, even when prompted. Genuine customers typically have questions about color, style, or availability.
Urgency Without Clarity: They insisted they needed five items but gave no clear timeline.
Ignoring Fees: No questions were asked about the delivery fees or the shipping costs, which usually raises at least some concern from real buyers.
Unusual Payment Behavior: After sending a draft invoice, they insisted that payment could only be made via Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, or PayPal — common platforms used in scams because they are harder to dispute.
The Scam Revealed
The final blow came when I received a suspicious email, supposedly from Zelle, stating that the $159 payment could not be deposited because my account wasn't a "business account." To "fix" this, they said I needed to get the buyer to send an additional $500, after which I'd receive the full amount.
This email went straight to my spam folder — another clear indication of fraud. No legitimate payment platform would ever require an "additional payment" to release funds.
What I Did Next
Upon realizing the scam, I immediately:
Blocked the individual on Facebook.
Reported the email as phishing and blocked the sender.
Documented the conversation in case I needed it for future reference.
Lessons Learned
Always Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is.
Never Send Money to Receive Money: Legitimate payment processors do not operate this way.
Be Cautious with New Inquiries: Especially if they come with urgency, vague requests, or pressure to use specific payment methods.
Educate Your Community: Sharing experiences helps others stay vigilant.
Final Thoughts
Scams are an unfortunate part of running a business in a digital world. They target our hopes, our passions, and our desire to serve customers. But they also provide an opportunity to grow wiser, stronger, and more resilient.
If you're a small business owner, don't be discouraged. Stay informed, trust your instincts, and remember that every experience, even the challenging ones, helps shape the entrepreneur you are becoming.
Stay safe and stay vigilant!
Have you encountered a similar situation? Feel free to share your story or tips in the comments!
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